The downfall of an empire begins with internal strife. Dr. Lucio Tan’s empire is no different from the dynasties of Imperial China. Trusted advisers are axed by the emperor as advised by his greed mongering administrators. Lucio is no different from these Emperors. He who foments distrust will fall heavily under those who are after his wealth. Dr. Tan’s feud with brother Mariano Tanenglian has earned him the ire of most of the Filipino-Chinese community. Will he choose the path of righteousness?

Sunday

Businessman Brother Cannot Come To Terms?

Pilipino Star Ngayon, Thursday, June 25, 2009

BANAT NI BATUIGAS, by Bening Batuigas

English Translation

It appears that the feud between this businessman and his younger brother can no longer be mended despite efforts of friends and relatives to patch up their worsening break up. He, he, he! This is the major problem feared by their employees hoping that there will be a solution to this continuing conflict between the brothers. And if this will not be settled by the brothers, it will surely lead to widespread layoffs of employees. This is the sentiment relayed to me by employees of the brothers whom I talked to. Last Saturday, the businessman summoned all the high officials and supervisors of all his companies and directed them not to even attempt to talk to his brother. They waited for about two hours before the businessman arrived with his lawyer who made the announcements of directives that the businessman wished to implement. Said officials were demoralized when the lawyer declared the directives of the businessman; and that if they wanted to keep their jobs they should not talk to or help the younger brother. He, he, he! It was as if ice were poured behind the backs of the officials when they heard the directives. Although they were shocked at the directives, many of the officials were worried because they would have an extremely difficult time complying as the brother is still a stockholder of the companies. As a result, these officials are in a quandary thinking about their bosses' big mess. It seems that the old saying, "blood is thicker than water", has lost its meaning in this feud between the two brothers. Is this not the case, my faithful readers? How could the employees avoid the situation they are placed in when the brother still has substantial shares in these companies; even if he were removed from his positions. Henceforth, the poor employees of the companies are placed between colliding rocks not of their own making. He, he, he! Big riddles abound in the business community with regards to the shifting versions of the fight between the brothers. It has been proven that not a single centavo has been stolen by the brother from the companies. When matters got worse, however, the businessman accused the brother of embezzling large sums which resulted in losses in some of the companies.

As a result, there is a call from businessmen who are concerned about the employees' welfare to release the shares of the brother to him so that they can go their separate ways if there is no real chance of patching up.